Humidifying valve



Dec. 31, 1940.

L. w. HOYT HUMIDIFYING VALVE Filed Jan. 3, 1958 INVENTOR Ai iORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in humidifiers,and is particularly concerned with a humidifier to be connected with asteam radiator or steam line to bring about a controlled discharge ofmoisture therefrom into the air to increase the humidity thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a humidifier which when appliedto a radiator or steam line will automatically release to the at- 10.mosphere moisture from such radiator or steam line when there is apressure therein.

Another object is to provide a humidifier to be applied to a steamradiator or steam line to automatically release moisture therefrom tothe atmosphere noiselessly and through the action of the heating plantconnected with such radiator or steam line.

A further object is to provide a humidifier to be connected with a steamradiator or steam line and which will release to the surroundingatmosphere moisture from such radiator or line with-' out the leakage ordischarge of water.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a considerationof the following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the inventionis shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations andmodifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scopeof the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a portion of a radiator with the humidifier ofthe invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar view but with the humidifier connected withthe steam line leading to a radiator;

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the humidifier alone; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical central sectional view, on an enlarged scale, ofthe humidifier alone.

Referring in detail to the drawing my improved humidifier generallydesignated I0 comprises a body including an upper section II and a lowersection [2, such sections being threaded together at IS. The lowersection l2 includes an externally threaded connecting nipple l4 dividedby a plate or web-like portion l5 providing upper and lower passages l6and I! in such nipple.

A baflie t8 is located in the section 12 and may simply rest on ashoulder 19 therein as shown. This bafile is provided with a centralopening 20 for the passage of steam upwardly with respect to the inletconnection H! but the bafile prevents upward movement of condensate inthe body. Also the battle divides the lower section l 2 of the device toprovide a condensate compartment 2| located at the lower side of thebafile as will pres- 5 ently more clearly appear.

Arranged within the body I0 is a means including a dividing disc orplate-like portion 22 the edges of which are clamped between the upperend of section I2 and a shoulder 23 formed on the 0 section I I. Suchplate-like portion 22 divides the interior of the body above the bafileinto a steam compartment or chamber 24 and an upper evaporating orvaporizing compartment or chamber 25.

A tubular member 23 projects from the lower side of plate-like portion22 and may as here shown be integral therewith. Through the bottom wallof section l2 a valve stem 21 is threaded, compressible packing 28 and apacking nut 29' being provided to prevent leakage at this point.Exteriorly of the body the valve stem 21 may be provided vwith thedesired type of hand piece 30.

At its inner end valve stem 21 carries a ta-.. pered valve 31 forcooperation with the tapered 25 valve seat 32 in the lower end of thetubular member 26. With the described arrangement it will be apparentthat by adjustment of the valve stem through the bottom wall of the bodyof my. humidifier the volumn of steam entering the tubular member 26 maybe regulated, or the passage through such member may be closed to shutoff the device if desired.

Projecting upwardly from the plate-like dividing member 22 is a tubularmember 33 communi eating with the tubular member '26 and having a valveseat 34 which in cooperation with a valve 35 controls suchcommunication. Valve 35 is carried by a stem 36 located in the member 33and having fiat sides whereby on unseating of the valve steam may passupwardly at the sides of such stem.

When valve 35 is unseated while there is steam in the compartment 24such steam will pass upward through the member 26 and enter the member33 passing outward thereof through the openings or ports 31 and upwardlyabout the flat sides of the stem 36 whereby to enter the vaporizing orevaporating compartment '25. From such compartment the vapor may escapeto the at .50 mosphere through one or more openings 38 provided for thatpurpose in the wall of the upper body section II.

My improved humidifier may .be connected With any steam radiator orsteam supply line, and

in Fig. 1 it is shown as having its inlet or connecting nipple l4threaded into a radiator 39pmvided with a return line 40 and vent valve40a. In Fig. 2 the humidifier is connected with a T fitting 4! locatedin the steam supply line 42 to a radiator 43.

When the humidifier is applied steam enters the same through the upperpassage IS in the connecting or inlet nipple M While condensate fromcompartment 2| may readily pass out through the passage I! at the lowerside of the dividing means 15. The steam passes up through the opening2!] in the bafile l8 but such battle pre vents upward movement ofcondensate whereby the latter collects in the lower portion of the bodyI0 and empties out through the passage ill, thus preventing drops ofwater being discharged from the device into the air to drop on the flooror other articles.

Due to the weight of the valve and its stem 36 the valve remains on itsseat until there is a slight pressure in the tubular member 26. At thedesired minimum pressure the valve 35 lifts permitting steam to enterthe vaporizing compartmerit 25 and pass out to the atmosphere throughopening 38. As the steam enters the vaporizing compartment it expandsand thus any condensate in such compartment will be picked up by thesteam and become part of the vapor passing through outlet 33 to theatmosphere. As it requires slightly above atmospheric pressure for thisvacuum valve 35 to release, it will cause the air in the radiator tovent through the return pipe before moisture is released to the roomthrough this unit, thus avoiding objectionable odor as the air is thusnot vented through this unit.

Immediately the pressure of the steam drops suificiently the valve 35resumes its seat preventing air being drawn in through the unit andpreserving the vacuum in the radiator.

Owing to the construction disclosed the steam follows a winding pathtoward the outlet 38 and will be discharged without noise. Additionallythe device is automatic in its operation and depends on the steampressure (slightly above atmospheric) and thus on the heating plant forthe opening and closing of valve 35. The vapor is released near theradiator and will thus enter the air flow about the radiator. Outlet 38being located above the bottom wall of compartment 25 there is no dangerof a leakage of water from the device.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a humidifier, a body having a vertical chamber therein, an inletat the lower end of said chamber for connection with a steam supply, abaffle in said chamber extending transversely across the chamberadjacent and above said inlet to prevent upward movement of condensatein the chamber but having an opening permitting upward passage of steam,said body having a vapor outlet opening in its upper portion above saidbaflle, and valve means between the bafiie and said outlet operable fromthe exterior of said chamber to cut ofi communication between said inletand said vapor outlet.

2. In a humidifier, a body comprising detachable upper and lowersections enclosing a vertical chamber, means clamped between saidsections and dividing said chamber into an upper vaporizing compartmentand a lower steam compartment, an inlet to said steam compartment,communicating tubular members projecting at the respective sides of saiddividing means and providing a passage between said compartments, avalve operable from the exterior of the body and adapted to control thepassage through one of said tubular members, a valve in the othertubular member and movable off its seat only on the development of apressure in said passage, and said body having an opening communicatingsaid vaporizing compartment with the atmosphere.

3. In a humidifier, a body comprising detachable upper and lowersections enclosing a vertical chamber, means clamped between saidsections and dividing said chamber into an upper vaporizing compartmentand a lower steam compartment, an inlet to said steam compartment, abattle in said steam compartment above said inlet but spaced from saiddividing means and serving to prevent upward movement of condensate inthe compartment but having an opening permitting of upward movement ofsteam in the compartment, communicating tubular members projecting atthe respective sides of said dividing means and providing a passagebetween said compartments, a valve manually operable from the exteriorof said body and adapted to control the passage through one of saidtubular members, a valve in the other tubular member and movable oii itsseat only on the development of a pressure in said passage, and saidbody having an opening communicating said vaporizing compartment withthe atmosphere. 1

i. In a humidifier, a body having a vertical chamber therein and aninlet toward the lower end of said chamber for connection with a sourceof supply of steam, a transverse wall dividing said chamber into a lowersteam compartment and an upper vaporizing compartment connected by arestricted passage, a transversely extending baiile in said steamcompartment above said inlet but spaced from said dividing wall andserving to prevent upward movement of condensate in the compartment buthaving an opening permitting of upward movement of steam in thecompartment, said body having an opening placing said vaporizingcompartment in communication with the atmosphere, and a valve in saidrestricted passage and movable 01f its seat on development of apredetermined pressure in said steam compartment.

5. In a humidifier, a body having a vertical chamber therein and aninlet toward the lower end of said chamber for connection with a sourceof steam supply, a transverse wall intermediate the top and bottom ofsaid chamber dividing said chamber into a lower steam compartment and anupper vaporizing compartment connected by a restricted passage andproviding means for transfer of heat from the steam compartment to thevaporizing compartment, said body having an opening placing saidvaporizing compartment in communication with the atmosphere, a valve insaid restricted passage and movable oii its seat on developement of apredetermined pressure in said steam compartment, and a valve means atthe inlet of said passage from the steam compartment and manuallyoperable from the extericr of said body to positively out offcommunication between said compartments.

6. In a humidifier, a body having a vertical chamber therein and aninlet toward the lower end of said chamber for connection with a sourceof supply of steam, a transverse wall dividing said chamber into a lowersteam compartment and an upper vaporizing compartment connected by arestricted passage, a valve controlling said passage opened by pressurein the steam compartment, a transverse baffie in said steam compartmentabove said inlet but spaced from said dividing wall and serving toprevent upward movement of condensate in the compartment but having anopening permitting of upward movement of steam in the compartment, andsaid body having an opening placing said vaporizing compartment incommunication with the atmosphere.

7. In a humidifier, a body enclosing a vertical chamber, a transversewall dividing said chamber into an upper vaporizing compartment and alower steam compartment, an inlet to said steam compartment, a tubularmeans carried by said Wall and providing a passage between saidcompartments, a valve operable from the exterior of the body and adaptedto control the passage through said tubular means, a valve in saidtubular means controlling said passage and movable ofi its seat on thedevelopment of a given pressure in said steam compartment, and said bodyhaving an opening from said vaporizing compartment to the atmosphere.

8. In a humidifier, a body enclosing a vertical chamber, a transverseWall dividing said chamber into an upper vaporizing compartment and alower steam compartment, an inlet to said steam compartment, a bafile insaid steam compartment above said inlet but spaced from said dividingwall and serving to prevent upward movement of condensate in thecompartment and having an opening permitting upward movement of steam inthe compartment, a tubular means carried by said wall and providing apassage between said compartments, a valvemanually operable from theexterior of said body and adapted to control the passage through saidtubular means, a valve in said passage movable off its seat ondevelopment of a given pressure in said passage, and said body having anopening forming a communication from said vaporizing compartment withthe atmosphere.

9. Ina humidifier, a body enclosing an upright chamber, means dividingsaid chamber into an upper vaporizing compartment and a lower steamcompartment, an inlet to said steam compartment, communicating tubularmembers projecting at the respective sides of said dividing means andproviding a passage between said compartments, a valve operable from theexterior of the body and adapted to control the passage through one ofsaid tubular members, a valve in the other tubular member and movableoff its seat only on development of a pressure in said passage, and saidbody having an opening leading from said vaporizing compartment to theatmosphere.

10. In a humidifier, a body enclosing an upright chamber, means dividingsaid chamber into an upper vaporizing compartment and a lower steamcompartment, an inlet to said steam compartment, a b aille in said steamcompartment above said inlet but spaced from said dividing means andserving to prevent upward movement of condensate in the compartment buthaving an opening permitting of upward movement of steam in thecompartment, communicating tubular members projecting at the respectivesides of said dividing means and providing a passage between saidcompartments, a valve manually operable from the exterior of said bodyand adapted to control the passage through one of said tubular members,a valve in the other tubular member and movable off its seat only on thedevelopment of a pressure in said passage, and said body having anopening communicating said vaporizing compartment with the atmosphere.

LEROY W. HOYT.

